Chapter 29: No Room for Negotiation

"Hehe... I was just checking if you were lying to me, that's all. Goodbye, Vice President! I haven't thought of a name for the company yet, la la..." The smug voice drifted from the phone. Inside the glass door, Huang Yunxuan was waving to Feng Xu.

Feng Xu shook his head in boredom and took an elevator, leaving the mall behind.

Inside the taxi.

"We've already found the information," Li Yunan said, a hint of joy appearing on his face as he hastily opened the data on his tablet.

"So quickly?" Feng Xu was astonished.

If he had investigated personally, it would have taken considerable effort. Tracking personnel, pinpointing locations, and gathering intel over such a large area were all tasks he couldn't manage alone. But with Li Yunan's help, half the burden was lifted.

"It's all thanks to your supercomputer technology. It can scan a hundred trillion times per second! We managed to extract suspicious data for a wide-ranging search. You should thank yourself," Li Yunan replied, his face brightening further under Feng Xu's praise, as he opened the positioning system.

"Finding the Qi family is already impressive, but can we locate my mother in Ye Country?" Feng Xu's eyes sparkled with hope, though worry overshadowed his expression.

He was determined to avenge his father, but saving his mother in Ye Country was equally important.

"Well..." Li Yunan's face became troubled. He, too, wanted to rescue Feng Xu's mother—it was an opportunity for them all.

But reality dealt them a harsh blow.

"We only found a handful of documents. The Qi family—this movement has revealed much evidence of their alliance with the Sakura Clan."

"And six years ago, your mother's kidnapping is likely deeply connected to all this."

"The Qi family eliminated Mr. Feng, and as for your mother, she may have been targeted from that time."

"I'm truly sorry. Our information warfare, without supercomputer assistance in the past, led to such grave mistakes," Li Yunan sighed. Back then, who could have guessed Ye Country would stoop so low?

Using Feng Xu's mother as leverage, they forced him to serve Ye Country.

"Alright! Tell the director my thanks, and drop me off up ahead. As for Feng Xiaoxiao, I'll entrust her to you for now—I'll come see her tonight," Feng Xu said with a slight smile. He wouldn't stay long in this taxi; copying the information was all he needed.

"Understood," Li Yunan nodded, and patted the driver's seat.

At the edge of the woods, Feng Xu got out.

He answered an urgent call, then hailed another cab.

At the company's technology conference, everyone wore solemn expressions.

"What? Feng Xu wants us to increase our research budget by ten percent? Wasn't it supposed to be free at first?"

"He means ten percent of the profits! This is practically extortion."

"No way! He's a Ye Country tech expert, and Ye Country has rewarded him handsomely! But now this project concerns our own interests."

"You're the chair of this business association—now's the time to speak up!"

Voices rose in protest. At this assembly, everyone was fighting for their own interests.

No one expected Feng Xu to make such demands.

Phil was deeply troubled. He hadn't told the others about the lamp fiasco; otherwise, they'd demand he compensate them with ten percent of the profits.

After all, the lamp caused the chaos, and he hadn't yet found it. He'd even argued fiercely with his brother about it!

"Alright, calm down, everyone. I've already invited Feng Xu here, haven't I? I believe we can negotiate this," Phil said loudly, glancing at their dissatisfied faces. He hoped Feng Xu would lower his demands soon.

Bang!

The conference room door swung open, and Feng Xu strode in, taking the seat of honor.

"This is non-negotiable!"

"You're profiting from my technology! At the very least, pay the proper amount for it. And let me warn you all: don't disturb me while I work!"

Feng Xu surveyed the room coldly, his gaze lingering on Phil beside him.

By not exposing the incident, he had already given Phil some face. Otherwise, Phil would be caught in an impossible situation.

Phil coughed twice, his face flushed.

The others exchanged awkward looks. Phil had summoned them for this meeting, passing along Feng Xu's demands.

If it were before, Phil would have been the first to oppose him.

But the situation had changed unexpectedly!

"Mr. Feng Xu, since you're now a citizen of Ye Country, you should act in Ye Country's interests. We're all compatriots—there's no need for this."

"Exactly. The market is aimed at Dragon Country, and most profits go there! But the materials are from us, Ye Country."

"I hope you'll respect us, and keep your tech fees within research costs."

"Honestly, with your knowledge, you can easily tweak things and invent a new generation of car engines. If it's that simple, let's just forget it."

"Mr. Li is right. Let's drop it. We're all here out of respect for you; let's not make things difficult."

...

Laughter broke out. Everyone knew Feng Xu was an internationally renowned innovator.

Even aircraft engines were within his grasp, and he had an astonishing number of inventions in engine technology.

For a mere car engine, Feng Xu could easily design and upgrade it to the next generation.

Why should they pay a knowledge tax?

"Oh?" A faint smile appeared at Feng Xu's lips.

"Mr. Phil, do you agree with them?" He turned to Phil, surprised by their shamelessness.

They wanted to profit from his technology, but when it came to dividends, his contributions were excluded.

What use was it for him to painstakingly design the turbocharged car engines?

Of course, Feng Xu had his own motives in all this.